Steering Box Brace - 4.0 Only?

[AMCJeepMJ]

While pondering aftermarket parts, I began thinking about steering box braces- the kind which run from the frame of the passenger side to just above the pitman arm of the steering box- and ran across a warning from Rustys that they are for 4.0s only... is this due to fan interference for placement of the brace in a 2.5 and 2.8 equipped rig?

 

Having no experience and only limited knowledge, I called Quadratec regarding box braces, pointing out the warning from Rusty's, and the salesperson stated it was because 4.0s are more prone to stress due to the larger engine and that any brace would work on any size engine.. but I have my doubts.

 

Has anyone attempted to put a steering box brace on something other than a 4.0, or had a similar concern? Results?

[88mjgilley]

uni body rails are the same there should be no differences depending on what motor you have

[AMCJeepMJ]

uni body rails are the same there should be no differences depending on what motor you have

That was my thoughts as well, however considering the placement of the brace and how it comes close to the lower part of the engine/belts, would this cause interference with or hit or be in the way of the the radiator fan/shroud of a 2.5 or 2.8 coming off the engine?

[AMCJeepMJ]

For example, in the below pic from the MORE brace's installation instructions it shows how close it is on a 4.0.

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Thoughts?

[88mjgilley]

the 2.8 and 2.5 is going to sit back farther in the engine bay then the 4.0 the only thing that i think could possibly cause a issue would be the fan shrouds but I'm not sure on there fan mounts due to never owning any with the other engine options

[88mjgilley]

also i believe the shroud would be the only thing it could possible interfere with from what i can remember the fan doesnt stick out that far from the engine it just has a deeper shroud so it is possible it would take a little bit of shroud trimming but i am not 100% positive

[mnkyboy]

Looks like it would hit the radiator.

[mvusse]

And if it does miss the radiator, the 2.5 has some kind of engine mount that looks like a miniature shock over in that corner.

[Eagle]

And if it does miss the radiator, the 2.5 has some kind of engine mount that looks like a miniature shock over in that corner.

 

Bingo.

 

I believe that "miniature shock absorber" is nothing more than a vibration damper and could probably be eliminated if you're not fanatical about minimizing "noise, vibration and harshness" (as the Chrysler/Jeep engineers refer to it). I'd have to trudge out through the snow to check, but my guess is that the engine damper (which is on the right side of the engine) probably occupies the space where the steering box brace is supposed to mount.

[Garvin]

The '86 2.8 uses a Wrangler style radiator and I can almost guarantee that that brace is going to hit the radiator.

[AMCJeepMJ]

As a steering box brace appears not to be an option for us 2.5 guys, what then is a viable option to stiffen up the steering box area [which hope fully does not require welding]?

[skidoo_j]

Just an idea...

 

Take off your bumper.

remove or modify the thin piece of metal that runs between the bumper mounts. The one with the hole in it in the photo.

attache a piece of angle iron or such between the two bumper mounting areas,

weld and arm off of it that would come out and clamp to the steering.

it would stiffen the frame and box probably better then the 3/4" rusty's tube, and wouldn't interfere with the radiator.

[HOrnbrod]

Hi Country tow hook / steering box brace. Shown w/o sway bar attached, uses steering gear box bolts and existing uniframe bolt holes.

 

[AMCJeepMJ]

^^ I like the idea.

 

One of the JCR steering box spacers in conjunction with the JCR uniframe reinfocement kit should work, would it not? They are bolt-in and do not require welding.

[mvusse]

I though those tow hook brackets got discontinued?

[HOrnbrod]

I though those tow hook brackets got discontinued?

 

The company got discontinued, but their stuff appears on Ebay at times. .

[mjeff87]

older pic of my MJ, but I run a "brace" between the framerails under the radiator support. I found it on an XJ in the 'yard years ago....I think it's an OEM towbar bracket. It's basically a thick piece of angle iron with 1-3/4" square receivers at either end. It bolts into the towhook bolts. Doesn't really brace the steering box per se, but it does tighten up the front framerails:

 

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Also, when I swapped in the 4.0L and had an empty engine bay, I added an RE trackbar brace:

 

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[HOrnbrod]

Also, when I swapped in the 4.0L and had an empty engine bay, I added an RE trackbar brace:

 

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Been thinking of something like this for a long time. Too bad the RE brace requires the RE track bar bracket. Also a shock tower brace like the original Mustangs had would be worthwhile I think to rigid up the unibody, which is always good. Anyone ever heard of an aftermarket shock tower brace on an XJ/MJ? Besides the ones used on the SCCA MJs?

[jimoshel]

And if it does miss the radiator, the 2.5 has some kind of engine mount that looks like a miniature shock over in that corner.

 

Those are torque absorbers. They're used to keep the torky 2.8 from twisting the frame when a heavy foot puts the cobs to it. :doh:

[mnkyboy]

Here is a pic of my 2.5l MJ with a 4.0l radiator,it looks lik the dampner would clear just fine. The issue is the 2.5l radiator.

 

[AMCJeepMJ]

The issue is the 2.5l radiator.

The 2.5 radiator is also the issue if you are wanting to put a ZJ front sway bar on- not enough clearance.